The right of individuals to bear arms.

A few clarifying quotes from important 18th century Americans about the right of individual citizens to bear arms. None of this "well regulated militia" nonsense as some sort of a limitation on that right:

Indeed, Madison himself wrote in Federalist No. 46, "The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any." This is no less true today than it was in 1787.

And:

In Commonplace Book, Thomas Jefferson quotes Cesare Beccaria from his seminal work, On Crimes and Punishment: "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." Again, no less true today than it has been throughout history.

And:

"To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them," warned George Mason. "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty," implored Patrick Henry. "Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."

"A Valentine’s Day Massacre (of the Constitution)." The Patriot Post, 3/2/07.

UPDATE (3/9/07):

In a 2-1 decision, the judges held that the activities protected by the Second Amendment "are not limited to militia service, nor is an individual's enjoyment of the right contingent" on enrollment in a militia.

"Appeals Court Overturns D.C. Gun Ban ." By Brett Zongker, Associated Press, 3/9/07 <-- "Gold-Plated Witch on Wheels."

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